Lord Patten: New funding arrangements for S4C not example of 'BBC colonialism'

Former Governor of Hong Kong and BBC Trust chairman Chris Patten this morning insisted the new funding arrangements for S4C were not an example of “BBC colonialism” and he said he wanted to preserve the independence of the Welsh language channel.

Former Governor of Hong Kong and BBC Trust chairman Chris Patten this morning insisted the new funding arrangements for S4C were not an example of “BBC colonialism” and he said he wanted to preserve the independence of the Welsh language channel.

Lord Patten, who oversaw the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 and has come to the helm of the Trust as the BBC prepares to provide the vast majority of S4C’s funding as the result of a highly controversial settlement, insisted he wanted to champion the Welsh language.

He said: “Let's be absolutely clear, this isn't an example of BBC colonialism. When Ofcom a few years ago proposed that the BBC should be responsible for the funding of S4C; the BBC reacted rather strongly saying that we didn't want to do anything which would be thought to compromise S4C's independence.

“But as part of the latest licence fee settlement this was pushed through; my real concern is to make it absolutely clear that I'm not in the business of trying to undermine other people's independence; I'm in the business of defending the BBC's independence.

“It would be ridiculous for me to be in any other position. I want to see a creatively independent S4C. Because I'm responsible for licence fee-payers' money, obviously we want to be in a sensible and effective partnership with S4C.

“It doesn't get all its money and won't get all its money from the licence fee-payer; it also raises money itself. And my principle priority in the short term is to work with - not over - S4C to produce even better programmes.

“And secondly, in the medium and longer term, to join in a debate here in Wales about how we don't just protect but strengthen the Welsh language because I think its incredibly important [especially] in this globalised age to give greater prominence to local, national, regional, cultural norms.”